EP1452089B1 - Animal identification tags - Google Patents
Animal identification tags Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1452089B1 EP1452089B1 EP04012398A EP04012398A EP1452089B1 EP 1452089 B1 EP1452089 B1 EP 1452089B1 EP 04012398 A EP04012398 A EP 04012398A EP 04012398 A EP04012398 A EP 04012398A EP 1452089 B1 EP1452089 B1 EP 1452089B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- tag
- tags
- applicator
- animal
- hammer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 title claims abstract description 32
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000005069 ears Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002991 molded plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K11/00—Marking of animals
- A01K11/001—Ear-tags
- A01K11/002—Pliers specially adapted for fixing ear-tags to ears
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K11/00—Marking of animals
- A01K11/001—Ear-tags
Definitions
- tags on animals for identification purposes has been known for many years. It is also known that the best manner of applying such tags so that they cannot fall off or else be removed by the animal is by fixing them directly to the animal. The part of many animals that is most suited for such attachment is the ear, as the flesh of the ear is relatively thin and the animal feels little or no pain when the tag is attached. See e.g. document GB-A-2055670.
- Tag applicators that apply individual tags are known.
- tag applicators that receive a number of tags at a time for application.
- multiple tag applicators have a number of drawbacks.
- the individual tags are commonly loaded within a spring-biased delivery system so that they may be pushed into the jaws of the applicator one after another.
- the tags are usually provided moulded in packs of five or ten, and in order to be loaded into the applicator they must first be separated and then loaded individually.
- the delivery of the individual tags into the applicator jaws can be disrupted, as the force of the biasing spring can force tags to eject from the delivery mechanism or else get jammed before successfully entering the applicator jaws.
- a further disadvantage of the spring-loaded system is that the replacement of tag magazines can be time consuming.
- an identification tag for application to an animal according to claim 1.
- set of identification tags for application to an animal, the set comprising a plurality of animal identification tags according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein each of the tags are interconnected by a spine member.
- Figures 1-4 show an animal tag applicator which does not form part of the present invention. However, description of the applicator is included here to illustrate the animal identification tags of Figures 5 and 6 when in use.
- the applicator comprises a body 1 and an operating means comprising a lever 2 that is attached to the body 1 by a pivot pin 22.
- the lever 2 and body 1 are also attached together by a volute spring 7 that biases the lever 2 away from the body 1.
- the opposite end of the lever 2 from the pivot pin 22 has attached thereto a push rod 3 and an actuation member 4.
- the push rod 3 is connected to the lever 2 by a sprung hinge 21 which extends through the push rod 3 and lever 2 and allows the push rod 3 to pivot with respect to the lever 2.
- the push rod 3 has lobe portions 23 on either side thereof.
- the applicator also includes tag application means comprising a hammer member 5 that is hinged to the body 1 about a hinge pin 9 and torsion spring 20.
- the hammer member 5 acts as the upper jaw of the application means, with a portion of the body 1 acting as the fixed lower jaw.
- the hammer 5 is provided with a cam surface 24 on the rear of the hammer 5 that is engaged by the tip 3a of the push rod 3.
- the cam surface 24 is shaped so that the hammer 5 has an initial velocity which is quicker than its final velocity.
- the torsion spring 20 ensures that the hammer 5 returns to its open position once the rod 3 reaches the end of the cam surface 24.
- the hammer 5 is provided with a slot (not shown) which extends around the cam surface 24 and upper surface 5a of the hammer 5 between a pair of channels 25,26.
- the slot is sufficiently wide to accept the tip 3a of the push rod 3.
- the slot is not wide enough to permit the lobes 23 of the push rod 3 to pass through.
- the slot therefore guides the push rod tip 3a along the cam surface 24 and then along the upper surface 5a of the hammer 5 as the hammer 5 returns to its open position under the force of the torsion spring 20.
- Each end of the slot connects with a channel 25,26 which is wide enough to allow the lobes 23 of the push rod 3 to pass through.
- One channel 26 is provided on the stem of the hammer 5.
- the channels 25,26 permit the push rod 3 to return to its rest position through the hammer 5 as the hammer 5 returns to its open position.
- the multiple tag delivery means of the applicator is seen best in Figures 1 and 4.
- the applicator is provided with a guide component 6 which is fixed to the body 1 and has three principal portions: a base portion 6a attached to the jaw portion of the body 1 and into which a magazine of moulded tags 8 is loaded, a support portion 6b which supports the tags 8 once loaded, and a locating portion 6c which ensures that the tags 8 are loaded correctly.
- the guide 6 is formed as one piece and is looped so that the locating portion 6c corresponds to a groove 6d in the base portion 6a. In this way, the tags 8 can slide between the base portion 6a and the locating portion 6c but cannot fall out of the applicator.
- the delivery of the tags 8 to the jaws of the applicator is effected by a gear wheel mechanism, generally designated 10.
- the mechanism 10 comprises a gear wheel 11 which is rotatably held on a spindle 12 between a pair of plate members 13,14 which are fixed to the body of the applicator so that the gear wheel 11 is substantially perpendicular to the body 1.
- the gear wheel 11 is positioned so that it is directly below the locating portion 6c of the tag guide 6.
- a ratchet member 17 is provided on the body 1 to ensure that the gear wheel 11 may only push the tags 8 towards the jaws of the applicator.
- an elliptical plate 16 Positioned between the first plate 13 and the gear wheel 11 is an elliptical plate 16 which is rotatably held on the same spindle 12 that holds the gear wheel 11. At one end of the plate 16 is provided a notch 18 whilst at the other end of the plate is a further ratchet member 19.
- the body 1 has a substantially vertical bore in which is located a pin member 27 which is biased by a spring 28.
- the pin 27 has a lobe 29 which is located in the notch 18 of the plate 16. As the pin 27 can slide up and down within the bore, the lobe 29 acts upon the notch 18, thereby causing rotation of the plate 16 about the spindle 12. As the pin 27 rises, the plate 16 is caused to rotate anti-clockwise.
- the ratchet member 19 moves anti-clockwise over one or more teeth of the gear wheel 11.
- the pin 27 has risen to its maximum travel and begins to return down the bore, the downward motion of the lobe 29 will act on the notch 18 and the plate 16 will rotate clockwise.
- the ratchet member 19 will rotate and act upon a tooth of the gear wheel 11, pushing the tooth clockwise and thereby rotating the gear wheel 11 and pushing the tags 8 towards the jaws of the applicator.
- Animal identification tags 8 to be used in the applicator are shown in Figures 5 and 6.
- the tags 8 are made of moulded plastic and are moulded together in sets as shown in Figure 5.
- the set of tags are moulded together with a spine 40 so that the tags 8 are secured together until they are to be separated one after another upon entering the jaws of the applicator.
- In the centre of each tag 8 is an aperture 15 which permits the teeth of the gear wheel 11 to move the tags 8 as previously described.
- apertures to be engaged by the teeth of the gear wheel could be formed between adjacent tags.
- each set of tags may have a "dummy tag" portion 30 so that the gear wheel 11 can load the tags 8 correctly.
- the tags 8 may also be provided with a tab 31 which could, for example, be printed with instructions on how to use the tags.
- each tag 8 is provided with a sharp point 32 at one end and a corresponding aperture 33 at the other end.
- the tag 8 also has a groove 34 extending laterally across the centre portion of the tag 8. This groove 34 corresponds with the groove 6d in the base portion 6a of the guide 6.
- the locating portion 6c of the guide abuts the groove 34 of the tag 8 thus holding the tag 8 in the correct position in the groove 6d of the base portion 6a of the guide.
- the tag 8 is also bent across a crease line adjacent the centre thereof so that the portion of the tag 8 containing the point 32 is at approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal. This shaping of the tag 8 prior to use reduces the amount of force required to fit the tag 8 to an animal.
- the apertures to be engaged by the teeth of the gear wheel are preferably formed at or adjacent to the crease line, but could be formed elsewhere along the lengths of the tags.
- the cam surface 24 creates a large initial force for the hammer 5 so that the tag point 32 can pierce the animal's ear quickly.
- the point 32 of the tag 8 passes through the aperture 33 of the tag 8 and locks in place.
- a cutting blade 35 attached to a surface of the hammer 5 cuts the tag 8 away from the remaining tags across the spine 40. In this way, the tag 8 remains secured to the other tags in the magazine until the moment it is applied.
- the tag 8 is now attached to the animal and the animal can be released.
- Figure 3(b) shows the position of the hammer 5 and push rod 3 at this point.
- the push rod 3 has reached the end of the cam surface 24.
- the hammer 5 springs back to its open position under the action of the torsion spring 20.
- the tip 3a of the push rod 3 follows the slot in the upper surface 5a of the hammer 5.
- the tip 3a of the rod 3 follows the slot along the upper surface 5a as the hammer 5 returns to its open position.
- a more simplified version of the applicator described above may be used in which there is no gear wheel feeder mechanism. Instead, the operator would simply push the tag magazine towards the applicator after each tag application, thereby manually loading the next tag into the applicator jaws.
- the applicator would have a spring-loaded, tapered pin which would spring into the apertures 15 of the magazine each time the magazine is pushed to insert the next tag into the jaws, thus holding the magazine tags in place.
- the applicator may be manufactured from a variety of materials in order to reduce weight. For example, components such as the tag guide 6 and gear wheel 11 could be made from a hard-wearing plastics material instead of metal.
- the applicator is also compatible with existing tags.
- the applicator is not intended to be used only on animals having ears, as it may also be used to secure tags which do not pierce the skin of the animal. An example of this would be the securing of tags to the legs of birds.
- One of the main advantages of the identification tags described herein is that a magazine of tags may be loaded into the applicator so that the applicator can apply a number of tags without the operator having to load tags individually. Furthermore, with the two portions of the tag being pre-formed at an angle to one another, less power is required to apply the tag to an animal. This is further helped by the provision of the central groove.
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Birds (AREA)
- Zoology (AREA)
- Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
- Labeling Devices (AREA)
- Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
- Acyclic And Carbocyclic Compounds In Medicinal Compositions (AREA)
- Medicines Containing Material From Animals Or Micro-Organisms (AREA)
- Medicinal Preparation (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
- Housing For Livestock And Birds (AREA)
- Surgical Instruments (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to identification tags for use on animals.
- The use of tags on animals for identification purposes has been known for many years. It is also known that the best manner of applying such tags so that they cannot fall off or else be removed by the animal is by fixing them directly to the animal.
The part of many animals that is most suited for such attachment is the ear, as the flesh of the ear is relatively thin and the animal feels little or no pain when the tag is attached. See e.g. document GB-A-2055670. - Tag applicators that apply individual tags are known. In addition, there exist tag applicators that receive a number of tags at a time for application. However, such multiple tag applicators have a number of drawbacks. Firstly, the individual tags are commonly loaded within a spring-biased delivery system so that they may be pushed into the jaws of the applicator one after another. The tags are usually provided moulded in packs of five or ten, and in order to be loaded into the applicator they must first be separated and then loaded individually. However, the delivery of the individual tags into the applicator jaws can be disrupted, as the force of the biasing spring can force tags to eject from the delivery mechanism or else get jammed before successfully entering the applicator jaws. A further disadvantage of the spring-loaded system is that the replacement of tag magazines can be time consuming.
- Known tag applicators have also been unable to provide sufficient force in the jaw mechanism for conventional tags to pierce an animal's ear quickly and cleanly. The operators of such applicators have had to struggle to apply the tag whilst also holding on to the animal.
- Therefore, it is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the aforementioned problems.
- According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an identification tag for application to an animal according to
claim 1. - Preferred embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.
- According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided set of identification tags for application to an animal, the set comprising a plurality of animal identification tags according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein each of the tags are interconnected by a spine member.
- A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
- Figure 1 shows an end elevation view of an animal tag applicator;
- Figure 2 shows a side elevation of the applicator of Figure 1;
- Figures 3(a)-(d) show side elevation views of the applicator of Figures 1 and 2 in during one operation cycle;
- Figure 4 is a detail view of a tag delivery mechanism which forms part of the present invention;
- Figure 5 shows a plan view of a tag cartridge; and
- Figure 6 shows a side elevation of a tag from the tag cartridge of Figure 5.
- Figures 1-4 show an animal tag applicator which does not form part of the present invention. However, description of the applicator is included here to illustrate the animal identification tags of Figures 5 and 6 when in use.
- The applicator comprises a
body 1 and an operating means comprising alever 2 that is attached to thebody 1 by apivot pin 22. Thelever 2 andbody 1 are also attached together by avolute spring 7 that biases thelever 2 away from thebody 1. The opposite end of thelever 2 from thepivot pin 22 has attached thereto apush rod 3 and anactuation member 4. Thepush rod 3 is connected to thelever 2 by asprung hinge 21 which extends through thepush rod 3 andlever 2 and allows thepush rod 3 to pivot with respect to thelever 2. Thepush rod 3 haslobe portions 23 on either side thereof. - The applicator also includes tag application means comprising a
hammer member 5 that is hinged to thebody 1 about ahinge pin 9 andtorsion spring 20. Thehammer member 5 acts as the upper jaw of the application means, with a portion of thebody 1 acting as the fixed lower jaw. Thehammer 5 is provided with acam surface 24 on the rear of thehammer 5 that is engaged by thetip 3a of thepush rod 3. For reasons which will be explained below, thecam surface 24 is shaped so that thehammer 5 has an initial velocity which is quicker than its final velocity. Thetorsion spring 20 ensures that thehammer 5 returns to its open position once therod 3 reaches the end of thecam surface 24. - The
hammer 5 is provided with a slot (not shown) which extends around thecam surface 24 andupper surface 5a of thehammer 5 between a pair ofchannels tip 3a of thepush rod 3. However, the slot is not wide enough to permit thelobes 23 of thepush rod 3 to pass through. The slot therefore guides thepush rod tip 3a along thecam surface 24 and then along theupper surface 5a of thehammer 5 as thehammer 5 returns to its open position under the force of thetorsion spring 20. Each end of the slot connects with achannel lobes 23 of thepush rod 3 to pass through. Onechannel 26 is provided on the stem of thehammer 5. Thechannels push rod 3 to return to its rest position through thehammer 5 as thehammer 5 returns to its open position. - The multiple tag delivery means of the applicator is seen best in Figures 1 and 4. The applicator is provided with a
guide component 6 which is fixed to thebody 1 and has three principal portions: abase portion 6a attached to the jaw portion of thebody 1 and into which a magazine ofmoulded tags 8 is loaded, asupport portion 6b which supports thetags 8 once loaded, and a locatingportion 6c which ensures that thetags 8 are loaded correctly. Theguide 6 is formed as one piece and is looped so that the locatingportion 6c corresponds to agroove 6d in thebase portion 6a. In this way, thetags 8 can slide between thebase portion 6a and the locatingportion 6c but cannot fall out of the applicator. - The delivery of the
tags 8 to the jaws of the applicator is effected by a gear wheel mechanism, generally designated 10. Themechanism 10 comprises agear wheel 11 which is rotatably held on aspindle 12 between a pair ofplate members gear wheel 11 is substantially perpendicular to thebody 1. Thegear wheel 11 is positioned so that it is directly below the locatingportion 6c of thetag guide 6. Thus, when thegear wheel 11 rotates, the teeth of thewheel 11 entercorresponding apertures 15 formed in or between each of thetags 8 lying in theguide 6, thus pushing thetags 8 towards the jaws of the applicator. Aratchet member 17 is provided on thebody 1 to ensure that thegear wheel 11 may only push thetags 8 towards the jaws of the applicator. - The operation of the delivery means can be seen best in Figure 4, in which, for the purposes of clarity, the
plate members - Positioned between the
first plate 13 and thegear wheel 11 is anelliptical plate 16 which is rotatably held on thesame spindle 12 that holds thegear wheel 11. At one end of theplate 16 is provided anotch 18 whilst at the other end of the plate is afurther ratchet member 19. Thebody 1 has a substantially vertical bore in which is located apin member 27 which is biased by aspring 28. Thepin 27 has alobe 29 which is located in thenotch 18 of theplate 16. As thepin 27 can slide up and down within the bore, thelobe 29 acts upon thenotch 18, thereby causing rotation of theplate 16 about thespindle 12. As thepin 27 rises, theplate 16 is caused to rotate anti-clockwise. As theplate 16 rotates anti-clockwise, theratchet member 19 moves anti-clockwise over one or more teeth of thegear wheel 11. When thepin 27 has risen to its maximum travel and begins to return down the bore, the downward motion of thelobe 29 will act on thenotch 18 and theplate 16 will rotate clockwise. As theplate 16 rotates clockwise, theratchet member 19 will rotate and act upon a tooth of thegear wheel 11, pushing the tooth clockwise and thereby rotating thegear wheel 11 and pushing thetags 8 towards the jaws of the applicator. -
Animal identification tags 8 to be used in the applicator are shown in Figures 5 and 6. Thetags 8 are made of moulded plastic and are moulded together in sets as shown in Figure 5. The set of tags are moulded together with aspine 40 so that thetags 8 are secured together until they are to be separated one after another upon entering the jaws of the applicator. In the centre of eachtag 8 is anaperture 15 which permits the teeth of thegear wheel 11 to move thetags 8 as previously described. Alternatively, apertures to be engaged by the teeth of the gear wheel could be formed between adjacent tags. In addition, each set of tags may have a "dummy tag"portion 30 so that thegear wheel 11 can load thetags 8 correctly. If thedummy tag 30 was not provided, the teeth of thegear wheel 11 would not be able to push thetags 8 into the applicator. As an option, thetags 8 may also be provided with atab 31 which could, for example, be printed with instructions on how to use the tags. - The shape of the
tags 8 is shown in Figure 6. As can be seen, eachtag 8 is provided with asharp point 32 at one end and a correspondingaperture 33 at the other end. Thetag 8 also has agroove 34 extending laterally across the centre portion of thetag 8. Thisgroove 34 corresponds with thegroove 6d in thebase portion 6a of theguide 6. The locatingportion 6c of the guide abuts thegroove 34 of thetag 8 thus holding thetag 8 in the correct position in thegroove 6d of thebase portion 6a of the guide. Thetag 8 is also bent across a crease line adjacent the centre thereof so that the portion of thetag 8 containing thepoint 32 is at approximately 45 degrees to the horizontal. This shaping of thetag 8 prior to use reduces the amount of force required to fit thetag 8 to an animal. The apertures to be engaged by the teeth of the gear wheel are preferably formed at or adjacent to the crease line, but could be formed elsewhere along the lengths of the tags. - The operation of the applicator will now be described, in particular with reference to Figures 3(a)-(d), as these figures show the various stages of the application process. Figure 3(a) shows the applicator prior to being operated. At this stage, the
tags 8 have been loaded, thedummy tag 30 has been removed by the applicator and the first tag is located in the applicator jaws. As the operator closes thelever 2 in the direction of thebody 1, thepush rod 3 rises and acts against thecam surface 24 of thehammer 5. As therod 3 acts on thecam surface 24, thehammer 5 is rotated about itspivot pin 9, thus folding thetag 8 forward in the applicator jaws until thepoint 32 pierces the ear of the animal and locks home in the correspondingaperture 33. Thecam surface 24 creates a large initial force for thehammer 5 so that thetag point 32 can pierce the animal's ear quickly. Once thetag 8 has pierced the ear, thepoint 32 of thetag 8 passes through theaperture 33 of thetag 8 and locks in place. At the instant that thehammer 5 completes the folding of thetag 8, acutting blade 35 attached to a surface of thehammer 5 cuts thetag 8 away from the remaining tags across thespine 40. In this way, thetag 8 remains secured to the other tags in the magazine until the moment it is applied. Thetag 8 is now attached to the animal and the animal can be released. Figure 3(b) shows the position of thehammer 5 and pushrod 3 at this point. - At the moment that the
hammer 5 closes the tag and attaches thetag 8 to the animal, thepush rod 3 has reached the end of thecam surface 24. As therod 3 reaches the end of thecam surface 24, thehammer 5 springs back to its open position under the action of thetorsion spring 20. As thehammer 5 springs back, thetip 3a of thepush rod 3 follows the slot in theupper surface 5a of thehammer 5. As the slot is of sufficient width to allow therod 3 to pass through, but not thelobes 23 of therod 3, thetip 3a of therod 3 follows the slot along theupper surface 5a as thehammer 5 returns to its open position. When thehammer 5 has returned to its open position, the tip of thepush rod 3 has reached thechannel 25 in thehammer 5. As thechannel 25 is of sufficient width to allow thelobes 23 of thepush rod 3 to pass through, therod 3 can now pass through the slot in theupper surface 5a, as can be seen in Figure 3(c). - As the
lever 2 is pressed towards thebody 1 and therod 3 acts on thehammer 5, theactuation member 4 on thelever 2 comes into contact with thepin member 27, as seen in Figure 4. As previously described, the resultant upward movement of thepin 27 causes theelliptical plate 16 to rotate in the anti-clockwise direction. This rotation in turn causes theratchet member 19 to move anti-clockwise relative to thestationary gear wheel 11. As thelever 2 is returned to its initial position under the action of thevolute spring 7, the strikingmember 4 moves away from thepin 27, and the pin falls under the action of thespring 28, rotating the elliptical plate clockwise back to its initial position. During this clockwise rotation, theratchet member 19 acts upon a tooth of thegear wheel 11, thereby rotating the gear wheel clockwise. During this clockwise rotation, the tooth of thegear wheel 11 nearest thetags 8 enters a correspondingaperture 15 in the magazine and pushes the magazine towards the applicator jaws, thus pushing the next tag into the jaws. - As the
lever 2 is released and returns to its initial position, it pulls the attachedpush rod 3 with it. Therod 3 is permitted to pass back through thehammer 5 to its initial position by way of thechannel 26 which allows thetip 3a of therod 3 to pass through. The resultant position is shown in Figure 3(d). Once the components of the applicator are back in their initial positions, a new tag has been pushed into the jaws of the applicator, and the operation cycle can start again. - A more simplified version of the applicator described above may be used in which there is no gear wheel feeder mechanism. Instead, the operator would simply push the tag magazine towards the applicator after each tag application, thereby manually loading the next tag into the applicator jaws. The applicator would have a spring-loaded, tapered pin which would spring into the
apertures 15 of the magazine each time the magazine is pushed to insert the next tag into the jaws, thus holding the magazine tags in place. Furthermore, the applicator may be manufactured from a variety of materials in order to reduce weight. For example, components such as thetag guide 6 andgear wheel 11 could be made from a hard-wearing plastics material instead of metal. The applicator is also compatible with existing tags. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the applicator is not intended to be used only on animals having ears, as it may also be used to secure tags which do not pierce the skin of the animal. An example of this would be the securing of tags to the legs of birds. - One of the main advantages of the identification tags described herein is that a magazine of tags may be loaded into the applicator so that the applicator can apply a number of tags without the operator having to load tags individually. Furthermore, with the two portions of the tag being pre-formed at an angle to one another, less power is required to apply the tag to an animal. This is further helped by the provision of the central groove.
- These and other modifications and improvements can be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims (5)
- An identification tag for application to an animal, the tag (8) comprising:a first body portion having a piercing means (32) thereon;a second body portion integrally formed with the first body portion and adapted to receive the piercing means (32) of the first body portion;characterised in that the tag (8) is formed such that, prior to application to an animal, the first and second body portions define an angle between one another of over 90 degrees but less than 170 degrees.
- The tag according to claim 1, wherein, prior to application to an animal, the first and second body portions define an angle between one another of between 120 and 150 degrees.
- The tag according to either preceding claim and further comprising a laterally extending groove (34) between the first and second body portions.
- The tag according to any preceding claim and further comprising an aperture (15) adapted to facilitate loading of the tag (8) into a tag applicator apparatus.
- A set of identification tags for application to an animal, the set comprising a plurality of animal identification tags (8) according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the tags (8) are interconnected by a spine member (40).
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB0023238.9A GB0023238D0 (en) | 2000-09-22 | 2000-09-22 | Animal tag applicator |
GB0023238 | 2000-09-22 | ||
EP01969949A EP1318718B1 (en) | 2000-09-22 | 2001-09-21 | Animal tag applicator |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP01969949A Division EP1318718B1 (en) | 2000-09-22 | 2001-09-21 | Animal tag applicator |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1452089A2 EP1452089A2 (en) | 2004-09-01 |
EP1452089A3 EP1452089A3 (en) | 2005-05-11 |
EP1452089B1 true EP1452089B1 (en) | 2006-08-23 |
Family
ID=9899911
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP04012398A Expired - Lifetime EP1452089B1 (en) | 2000-09-22 | 2001-09-21 | Animal identification tags |
EP01969949A Expired - Lifetime EP1318718B1 (en) | 2000-09-22 | 2001-09-21 | Animal tag applicator |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP01969949A Expired - Lifetime EP1318718B1 (en) | 2000-09-22 | 2001-09-21 | Animal tag applicator |
Country Status (11)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7316691B2 (en) |
EP (2) | EP1452089B1 (en) |
AT (2) | ATE274296T1 (en) |
AU (2) | AU9007101A (en) |
DE (2) | DE60122598T2 (en) |
DK (1) | DK1452089T3 (en) |
ES (2) | ES2271735T3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB0023238D0 (en) |
NZ (2) | NZ524953A (en) |
PT (2) | PT1318718E (en) |
WO (1) | WO2002023980A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2442274A (en) | 2006-09-29 | 2008-04-02 | Brian Eadie | Identification tag applicator with automatic release mechanism |
NZ552306A (en) * | 2006-12-20 | 2009-04-30 | Tagam Ltd | Animal tag applicator and tags therefor |
US7937861B1 (en) * | 2008-06-10 | 2011-05-10 | Zacher Clayton S | Ear tag retainer system |
GB2467513A (en) * | 2008-11-20 | 2010-08-04 | Trig Creative Ltd | Animal tag |
GB0823691D0 (en) * | 2008-12-31 | 2009-02-04 | Eadie Brian | Identification tag |
GB2467583B (en) | 2009-02-10 | 2013-05-29 | Ritchey Ltd | Animal tag |
GB0912322D0 (en) * | 2009-07-15 | 2009-08-26 | Shearwell Data Ltd | Animal tag applicator |
DE102009054005A1 (en) * | 2009-11-19 | 2011-05-26 | A. Raymond Et Cie | Fixing anchor, fixing anchor band and setting tool |
GB201004520D0 (en) * | 2010-03-18 | 2010-05-05 | Eadie Brian | An improved identification tag applicator |
WO2012071670A1 (en) | 2010-12-03 | 2012-06-07 | Pluritag Inc. | Auricular livestock identification tag |
CN102652500B (en) * | 2012-05-24 | 2013-09-18 | 浙江海洋学院 | Rapid anti-off mark labeling syringe for tuna |
AU2013224724B2 (en) * | 2012-09-19 | 2017-07-06 | Datamars Sa | Identification tags |
JP2016530903A (en) | 2013-06-05 | 2016-10-06 | エスエヌピーショット トラスティ— リミテッド | Tissue sampler |
CN106028802B (en) | 2013-10-18 | 2020-07-24 | 思恩培绍特信托有限公司 | Biopsy collector with markers |
CN107006386B (en) * | 2017-05-04 | 2022-10-14 | 吉林吉和迅生物技术有限公司 | Electronic ear tag and ear tag pliers |
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NL6842C (en) * | 1920-01-05 | |||
GB675315A (en) * | 1950-01-12 | 1952-07-09 | East Anglian Real Property Co | Improvements in or relating to identification devices for animals |
US3893612A (en) * | 1973-06-21 | 1975-07-08 | Dennison Mfg Co | Fastener attaching device |
CA1155655A (en) * | 1979-07-13 | 1983-10-25 | Rodney A. Stafford | Tags, particularly ear tags |
AU6105880A (en) * | 1979-08-09 | 1981-02-12 | Leslie Walter Dore | Ear tags |
US4511073A (en) * | 1982-07-23 | 1985-04-16 | Japan Bano'k Co., Ltd. | Fastener dispensing device |
KR930001554Y1 (en) * | 1988-10-18 | 1993-04-03 | 김춘선 | Tag attaching apparatus |
NZ235791A (en) * | 1990-10-23 | 1994-02-25 | Allflex New Zealand | Ear tag applicator: single tags severed from roll and applied. (51) a01k11/00; |
GB2276112B (en) * | 1993-03-18 | 1996-06-05 | Martin Harrison | Livestock tag applicator |
US5423470A (en) * | 1993-08-11 | 1995-06-13 | Towa Seiko Co., Ltd. | Staple fastening instrument |
NL1008307C2 (en) * | 1998-02-13 | 1999-08-16 | Robert Luimers | Powered punch to secure label to e.g. ear of livestock |
-
2000
- 2000-09-22 GB GBGB0023238.9A patent/GB0023238D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2001
- 2001-09-21 AT AT01969949T patent/ATE274296T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2001-09-21 EP EP04012398A patent/EP1452089B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-09-21 AU AU9007101A patent/AU9007101A/en active Pending
- 2001-09-21 WO PCT/GB2001/004219 patent/WO2002023980A2/en active IP Right Grant
- 2001-09-21 PT PT01969949T patent/PT1318718E/en unknown
- 2001-09-21 US US10/381,240 patent/US7316691B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-09-21 DK DK04012398T patent/DK1452089T3/en active
- 2001-09-21 EP EP01969949A patent/EP1318718B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-09-21 ES ES04012398T patent/ES2271735T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-09-21 NZ NZ524953A patent/NZ524953A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2001-09-21 DE DE60122598T patent/DE60122598T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-09-21 NZ NZ535000A patent/NZ535000A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2001-09-21 ES ES01969949T patent/ES2227269T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-09-21 AT AT04012398T patent/ATE336887T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2001-09-21 AU AU2001290071A patent/AU2001290071B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2001-09-21 PT PT04012398T patent/PT1452089E/en unknown
- 2001-09-21 DE DE60105179T patent/DE60105179T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
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DE60122598T2 (en) | 2007-08-23 |
AU9007101A (en) | 2002-04-02 |
US7316691B2 (en) | 2008-01-08 |
EP1452089A2 (en) | 2004-09-01 |
PT1452089E (en) | 2006-12-29 |
DE60122598D1 (en) | 2006-10-05 |
ES2271735T3 (en) | 2007-04-16 |
NZ535000A (en) | 2005-11-25 |
GB0023238D0 (en) | 2000-11-01 |
NZ524953A (en) | 2004-11-26 |
ATE274296T1 (en) | 2004-09-15 |
ATE336887T1 (en) | 2006-09-15 |
EP1318718B1 (en) | 2004-08-25 |
DE60105179D1 (en) | 2004-09-30 |
WO2002023980A3 (en) | 2002-06-13 |
ES2227269T3 (en) | 2005-04-01 |
DE60105179T2 (en) | 2005-09-15 |
US20040092954A1 (en) | 2004-05-13 |
EP1452089A3 (en) | 2005-05-11 |
DK1452089T3 (en) | 2007-01-02 |
PT1318718E (en) | 2005-01-31 |
AU2001290071B2 (en) | 2005-12-08 |
WO2002023980A2 (en) | 2002-03-28 |
EP1318718A2 (en) | 2003-06-18 |
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